Bobcats pay back Grizzlies and take region lead

Smithfield — Senior Casey Oliverson recorded a double-double with 17 points and 23 rebounds as the Sky View boys basketball team got revenge on Logan with a 62-53 win on Wednesday.

“Casey is doing a lot,” head coach Kirk Hillyard said. “Down the stretch he was able to get some layups and do some things effectively. He attacked the basket well.”

The Bobcats controlled the tip and scored first on a jumper from Oliverson, but Logan responded at the other end. The Grizzlies came up with several steals and used a 7-0 run to open a five-point advantage. Sky View responded with five straight points from Jalen Moore, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer to tie the game at 9.

In a game of runs, Logan started the second quarter with a full-court press and led 15-9 after a layup from senior Russell Murphy. The sloppy play continued for the Bobcats and Hillyard called a timeout with 4:23 remaining.

“We got quite a few hustle plays,” Hillyard said. “I felt like we got to the loose balls and that was the difference. This was one of our better defensive efforts.”

The change of tempo was what Sky View needed.

Trailing by six with two minutes left before halftime, the Bobcats sparked and closed the half on a 9-0 run. Moore scored four points during the stretch, including an alley-oop dunk on a half-court pass from senior Riley Knowles.

Sky View led 20-17 at the break and had all the momentum.

The run continued to start the third quarter as the Bobcats defense held the Grizzlies scoreless for more than six minutes in the second and third quarters. Sky view outscored Logan 18-0 during the stretch as Oliverson controlled the glass and the Bobcats defense stifled the Grizzlies offense.

Murphy ended Logan’s scoring drought with a free throw with 3:42 remaining in the period. Sky View took its largest lead of the game after Oliverson hit a jumper for a 48-35 advantage with six minutes left to play.

The Grizzlies had one last run.

Logan used a 9-1 run and pulled within five with three minutes to play, but Oliverson took over. The 6-foot-9-inch forward scored three straight points to push the lead back to eight. After the teams traded baskets, Oliverson took a full-court pass and threw down a dunk to give Sky View a 62-52 lead.

“We held court tonight,” Hillyard said. “Logan is a great team. We brought energy and turned the tide on them tonight. I was proud of the kids. We talked about attitude and effort all week and they brought that effort.”

Sky View improved to 15-4 overall and 6-2 in Region 5 play, moving into sole possession of first place. Logan fell into a tie for second place with valley-rival Mountain Crest at 14-5 and 5-3 in region.

The Bobcats travel to Box Elder on Friday while the Grizzlies host Roy for senior night. Both games are scheduled to tipoff at 7 p.m.

PAWS (Konnor Christensen) hitches a ride. (Corey Burger)

Riley Knowles (10) sets up the offense. (Corey Burger)

Jalen Moore (14) with a jumper. (Corey Burger)

The band plays during a time out. (Corey Burger)

Matt Dewey (23) on defense. (Corey Burger)

The cheer squad celebrates a made free throw. (Corey Burger)

The tall and the short of it. Varsity starters, Jalen Moore (14) and Riley Knowles (10) discuss the game during a free throw (Corey Burger)